[Chapter 189]
[What Should Not Be Touched (2)]
The day No Eun-ae fell asleep crying tightly hugged by No Eun-ah.
Her mother and father had a conversation in the master bedroom.
"─I really didn't know. Even though Eun-ae seemed to lack energy lately, I had no idea our child was going through such things."
"The child is deep. You couldn't have known."
"But I'm the child's mother. How could I not know that Eun-ae was suffering emotionally when I'm at home all day?"
Because Eun-ae was crying.
And because other people were there.
Mother only broke down her emotional dam when she was alone with father.
She berated herself.
Saying she was unqualified as a mother.
She shed tears.
Father could only comfort her while suppressing his own emotions.
"How difficult it must have been for the child all this time. How hard it must have been trying to endure alone without telling us... The more I think about it, my heart aches so much."
"Yes, I feel the same. We thought too carelessly that Eun-ae would do well in school life."
"And... I think I'm really a terrible person."
"Why are you terrible? In my eyes, there's no one like you."
"Eun-ae said she tried to help a classmate who was being ostracized, right?"
"Yes, she did."
"I forcibly praised her then, saying she did really well, that I was so proud of my daughter..."
"..."
"But I actually wanted to say something else. Why did you help that child, why did you have to suffer such humiliation by saving that child when you just needed to take care of yourself... Even though I knew Eun-ae's actions were right, I had such thoughts. Am I really a terrible person?"
"...I feel the same way. So don't blame yourself too much. When a child goes through something like that, who wouldn't have such thoughts? And if you cry like this, Eun-ae will feel more sorry. Come on, stop crying."
Afraid it might be heard in Eun-ah's room.
Mother cried silently.
Father comforted her while unable to hide his complicated feelings.
At the same time─
"─Let's go see the kids' faces tomorrow. We're going to see what the faces of those bastards who bullied our child look like. I'll make them beg for forgiveness if they did wrong, so look forward to it."
A thousand fires raged inside.
Father growled lowly.
And so the day dawned.
☆
Eun-ae injured the students.
Then the parents claiming to be 'victims' requested a School Violence Countermeasures Autonomous Committee, abbreviated as school violence committee.
The place No Eun-ae's father and mother attended was precisely that.
"─I'm Eun-ae's father. I heard our child 'lightly' hit the kids."
"Huh, lightly hit? Listen here! Do you think you can say such things after seeing the state of our children!?"
"Are you wrapping them in bandages for such minor injuries? Look, let me check by unwrapping the bandages. If it's really severe, I'll arrange for skilled supporters."
"How can you say that now! Our child came home injured from school, and instead of apologizing, you say such things!?"
""""...""""
The other side was numerous.
On one side, students wrapped in bandages sat on sofas.
Their parents sat in chairs as if shielding them.
On the opposite side, no one sat behind mother and father.
"How did you raise your child to suddenly manifest magic and harm other children!?"
"You should have sent such a child to the academy, why did you send her to a regular middle school and cause this disaster!?"
"This could even lead to murder! How can you say such things now!?"
A war to protect each other's children.
The teachers' mediation was useless.
The more numerous parents raised their voices to pressure the two.
Eventually, father, who had been listening silently, opened his mouth.
"Murder? Then don't you think it was an act of murder when your kids collectively assaulted our child?"
"What!? Our child bullied your child? This is ridiculous..."
Father took off his glasses.
As if feeling stuffy, he loosened his tie carelessly and brushed back his bangs.
Father's eyes flashed fiercely.
"You're the ones who should raise your children properly. The same goes for the teachers sitting over there. No, when a child comes to the teachers' office saying they're having a hard time, you just tell them to get along well and send them back? And then you hold a school violence committee now!? Why on earth has our child become the perpetrator, and those bastards become the victims! Why!?"
"Did you just call them bastards!? Hey! I don't know who you are, but if you keep acting like this, I'll just throw you in jail! Do you know what our child's father does!?"
People defending their own children.
People mobilizing all the connections they know, including blood ties, regional ties, school ties.
It wasn't a war of expounding logic.
Emotions were valued more than reason.
It was a marketplace where those with louder voices gained the upper hand.
Knowing this, father also became more eccentric, more reckless, and confronted them in the same way.
"─Who is this person? I'm really curious what kind of prosecutor can boldly stand up to me."
"W-What!?"
"And you say you have a relative in a high government position? I'm curious what that person's name is. If they're in such a high position, they're probably acquainted with me..."
""""...""""
"Shall we call that person and see whose side they take?"
"Listen here! Are you threatening us now? Who do you think you are to act like this!?"
"You threatened first. And don't try to change the subject, just tell me the name quickly. What's your husband's name?"
"It's Na Cheong-myeong! Prosecutor Na Cheong-myeong! What are you going to do if you know!?"
"Na Cheong-myeong, Na Cheong-myeong. Not a name I've heard before. A low-ranking one? Let's see how great he is."
"""...""""
If they're going to act like that.
He would become childish too.
Father chuckled.
Then he suddenly made a phone call.
"What are you doing now!? Who are you calling!?"
"...Ah, it connected. Ah, Prosecutor General. How have you been? How were the headphones I sent last time? Oh, you liked the fit? Yes, yes, then I'll send you a few more for gifts next time."
""""...""""
"Ah, yes.... The reason I called this time is because I have something to ask. Prosecutor General, do you know a prosecutor named Na Cheong-myeong? What? You can't remember all the prosecutors when there are so many? Yes, yes.... Then I'll ask about his affiliation."
"W-Who are you calling now..."
"Ma'am. Where is Prosecutor Na Cheong-myeong affiliated now? Tell me."
""""...""""
The obvious and childish situation was resolved in an instant.
Father revealed with just one phone call that he wasn't someone to be dealt with carelessly.
The parents closed their mouths.
The teachers' eyes widened.
"I'm asking where he's affiliated? I'll call him here now and sort out who's right and wrong."
""""...""""
Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Sirius Group.
The chairman's right-hand man.
Essentially the second-in-command.
There weren't many matches for him, deeply connected to power.
Even the Fairy showed him goodwill.
"─I don't want to go on so childishly and miserably. I'll pay all their medical expenses. If necessary, I'll call skilled supporters and heal them right here."
""""...""""
"In return, I want two things from you. Clear punishment and sincere apologies from those who bullied our child even a little. Ah, there's one more thing. Punishment and apologies from the teachers who ignored the bullying too."
The people present were overwhelmed and couldn't speak.
At his gaze that looked like it would devour them.
They all shrank back at once.
Just who is this man?
They all had the same question.
And their question would soon be answered.
A man who belatedly entered the school violence committee exclaimed in surprise.
"─I'm Park Gwang-sik, Sejong Clan Lord. I came today because of my child, but... huh? Secretary No? No, what brings you to a place like this? Someone who should be by Chairman Sirius's side, why are you... Ah, perhaps among the children who were attacked this time..."
"Unfortunately, I'm the father of the child who supposedly attacked. Though I wonder who really attacked whom. It's been a while, Sejong Clan Lord."
""""...!!""""
Sejong Clan Lord Park Gwang-sik.
The faces of the parents who had been waiting for him, thinking he might be able to threaten father, were painted with shock.
Park Gwang-sik, who belatedly grasped the situation, was no different.
He immediately bowed his head.
☆
"─It seems my son committed a great wrong this time. I'll apologize on behalf of the child. I would be truly grateful if the Chief of Staff could forgive us with a generous heart."
""""We're truly sorry.""""
"Sigh...."
The situation was easily concluded.
Father's authority was revealed.
Then people, whether teachers or parents, bowed their heads.
Father couldn't hide his bitter feelings as he looked at their crowns.
"Is this apology enough? You don't need to pay the children's medical expenses. We'll treat them, so don't worry too much."
""...""
"If the Chief of Staff wishes, we'll send our children to other schools, and if that's not enough to appease you, we'll let you hit them directly. Then can we consider our relationship ended with that?"
It was an apology forced out by power.
If he didn't have power, he wouldn't have received even this.
But does receiving a formal apology mean they can heal Eun-ae's heart that has already been hurt so much?
Moreover, there wasn't even sincerity.
They just bowed their heads cautiously because of his authority.
Then there wasn't much more he could do beyond this.
Sejong Clan Lord Park Gwang-sik knew this fact well.
"With the Chief of Staff's ability, it would be nothing to fire the teachers who have been ignoring this until now, and it would be possible to transfer the perpetrator students to other schools."
His mouth was smiling.
But his eyes were flashing ominously.
Father understood people like Park Gwang-sik enough to be disgusted.
A person sensitive to the direction of power while simultaneously able to calculate the 'width' in which he can move.
He knew how far the sword he could wield reached.
"If I set my mind to it, I could send those bastards to juvenile detention all at once."
"Ah, I suppose so. It would be possible to do that with the Chief of Staff's power. But if the Chief of Staff pities our children, I think you won't do something that could ruin these children's lives."
"..."
"Of course, the same goes for our families. Surely the capable and wise Chief of Staff wouldn't hold the parents responsible for an incident that spread from a children's fight? They're all people living hard lives for their children, how could you ruin their lives?"
It was as Park Gwang-sik said.
Father could, if he set his mind to it, not only ruin the students' lives but also completely destroy their families.
But he couldn't do that.
Reason prevented it.
No matter how much Eun-ae was bullied, and how much rage boiled inside him.
They were the same age as his daughter.
So he couldn't treat the students truly cruelly.
If he did that, their parents would experience the same feelings as him.
No matter how angry I am, I shouldn't just take it out on them recklessly.
That would just make me use my authority to turn them into emotional trash cans.
I shouldn't be mistaken.
The only difference between them and me is that my authority is higher.
They probably have a lot they want to say too, but they're not defying me because of my authority.
If my authority was lower, the ones bowing their heads now would be me, not them.
My justice and their justice.
My justice of protecting my daughter, and their justice of protecting their children - neither is wrong.
"Sigh...."
Power is truly sweet.
But one shouldn't forget the obvious fact while intoxicated by the sweetness power gives.
One must know that one's heart and theirs are the same and equal.
If one wields the sword of power while putting emotions first without knowing this, someday one will be cut by that sword.
It was right then.
"─We just need to write apology letters, right?"
""""...""""
The students who had turned pale after realizing the situation.
Among them, an unusually fearless-looking male student suddenly opened his mouth.
He was Park Gwang-sik's child.
Park Seong-ho.
He leaned his body forward.
"I'll transfer schools. That's what I need to do, right? But it would be difficult for Eun-ae to remain at this school too.... Then isn't it the same as receiving the same punishment as us?"
""""...""""
"Well, I don't need to care about Eun-ae's circumstances. I just need to apologize to Eun-ae for everything until now, and kneel if she wants, right? If Eun-ae doesn't want to see me, I can just hand over a letter...."
""""...""""
"Ah, how many pages should I write for the apology letter? Would 10 pages be enough to let it slide?"
Park Gwang-sik's face and.
His child's face were exactly alike.
He was certain that if he handled this appropriately, no further damage would come.
Crunch
Father clenched his fist.
He wanted to punch that bastard's face right away.
But he couldn't swing his fist at the thought that this bastard was also someone's child.
He only managed to say with difficulty.
"You alone, I'll give the heaviest punishment I can within my means."
"Wow, I'm so scared. Then will I be sent to juvenile detention? But I'm fine with that. I can just transfer to the academy after a few years there. Or just become a slayer."
"..."
"Anyway, you won't be able to say anything to my father about this, right?"
He's a bastard that makes one want to test people.
Really, I want to kill him.
Father gritted his teeth.
He felt like he would go crazy not being able to properly vent his emotions.
And he felt self-loathing.
☆
The results of the school violence committee were decided.
No punishment for No Eun-ae.
All teachers involved in ignoring the incident, including the homeroom teacher, agreed to resign.
It was an extremely severe punishment, not ending with just self-reflection or pay cuts.
On the other hand, the perpetrator students received hundreds of hours of community service and suspension or expulsion.
They also had to submit dozens of pages of sincere reflection letters.
And it seemed they would even consider juvenile detention for students judged to be severe cases.
"─It's still not enough."
Nevertheless, Eun-ha clicked his tongue.
Especially after hearing what happened at the school violence committee.
It wasn't enough.
Far from enough.
The punishment limited by law and morality felt woefully inadequate.
Therefore─
"─We've brought them, Master."
"It was hard work capturing them without being noticed by people. Boss."
"Good work."
Eun-ha decided to cross the line.
So he ordered Twenty-five and Lee Gang-hyeok to capture people.
They were those related by blood to students who seemed excessively cruel among those who bullied No Eun-ae.
"W-What is this!? Who are you people!?"
"Pandora Clan Lord!? Don't tell me you ordered these thugs!? How could you do such a thing.... Are you crazy!? If this gets out, you..."
"What if it gets out."
""""...""""
Sejong Clan Lord Park Gwang-sik was included among them.
While the people brought to an alley somewhere in Bomun-dong trembled in fear.
Park Gwang-sik, who recognized Eun-ha's face, suddenly shouted like that.
Then Eun-ha chuckled.
"─Before worrying about me, worry about yourself first."
Caught in Twenty-five's binding magic.
Park Gwang-sik, who was suddenly ambushed and captured, was unable to move.
Eun-ha approached him.
And kneeling on the ground, he looked down at the 'bastard'.
"I don't show mercy."
""""...""""
"I'll kill anyone who touches my people. Among them, you touched someone who absolutely should not have been touched."
""""...""""
Power is justice.
Power is what completely crushes another's justice by defining it as evil.
You need to understand that well.
The reason those people are lying face down on the ground is because they lack power.
And I have the power to punish those bastards.
"But don't worry. I don't intend to kill you."
"W-What are you trying to do..."
"Is this where the most mana circuits are gathered?"
My justice and their justice.
But only one justice exists in the world.
That is my justice.
If there is any other justice that exists, it is either justice I have embraced or 'evil' I have not yet crushed.
Hamper Wave
Original Spirit
Eun-ha scanned Park Gwang-sik's body.
And he applied jamming to the concentrated mana circuits inside his body.
He also used high-level control techniques to maximize the pain.
"Aaaaarghhhh!!"
""""...!!""""
Pain as if his soul was being bitten.
And the pain of mana circuits twisting.
The man screamed.
Nevertheless, Eun-ha was merciless.
He twisted the mana circuits to a level that would be completely impossible to heal.
"That's what you get for touching the Master. You're suffering this because you touched a monster wearing a human mask."
"Twenty-five, stop talking and hold him down."
Park Gwang-sik writhes.
Twenty-five steps on him to hold him down.
Lee Gang-hyeok forcibly opens his eyes, making him look into Eun-ha's eyes.
Stygian Eye
Eun-ha imprinted fear.
He kept injecting fear that would never be shaken off for a lifetime.
"─Don't worry, it won't end with just you. After doing this to you first, I'll call your children too."
While people were gripped with fear.
Eun-ha's eyes flashed ominously.